Lewis Hamilton – The man, the myth, the legend. He has not only contributed to Mercedes‘ rise in F1 but also changed the face of the sport itself. While changing the sport, the Briton has elevated its status and generated millions and billions of dollars for its stakeholders. But that is not where it ends. Lewis has put in a large amount of time and effort to bring about major changes in how modern society functions.

As much time as he’s put into honing his race-craft is the same amount that he’s put into being vocal about the societal problems that plague today’s generation. When a man of such status is willing to leave a positive impact on this world, why has the FIA tried to silence him?

FIA bans drivers from giving political statements without prior approval

Drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have always been vocal about supporting causes that are close to them. Be it putting an end to racism or supporting pride month, they have been at the forefront. The seven-time champion has had to deal with being on the receiving side of racist comments and discrimination from a very young age. So, he was naturally a big part of the Black Lives Matter movement.

But in January 2023, the FIA introduced a new ban, condemning all such actions. They declared that the drivers will no longer have the right to take any stance on political matters. Their defense was that they wanted to match what the IOC and FIFA had done. Now, this is a matter of grave concern. The racers might come under the control of the sport and its governing body, but they, too, are humans and like any other human, they have the right to free speech.

Keeping this in perspective, the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) raised its concerns against the FIA.

FIA accused of targeting Lewis Hamilton in latest rule change

Hamilton is the most prominent face in the world of F1. He’s probably the only driver that is so actively pushing people to be better and take positive approaches when dealing with people and situations. But the FIA’s direction forced him to silence the parts of himself that need to be loud in today’s world.

Nevertheless, Hamilton was unfazed. The 38-year-old is a man on a mission and will do whatever it takes to continue making the world a better place. Hamilton told Sky Sports, “It doesn’t surprise me. But nothing will stop me from speaking on the things that I feel that I’m passionate about and issues that there are.” And BIRD Director Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei supported him while criticizing the FIA for targeting him.

Alwadaei, said in a statement, “The FIA’s recent move is clearly targeted at drivers like Lewis Hamilton who has used his platform to express support for Black Lives Matter and human rights in countries with problematic human rights records, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. F1 drivers must be allowed to enjoy the same rights as you [the FIA] are to freely express their moral stances.”

Read More: Lewis Hamilton Wins a Battle Unnecessarily Initiated by the FIA: “Never Put a Gag on Anyone”

While giants like F1 and the FIA have taken such regressive measures, NASCAR has made rapid strides in dealing with the age-old problem of racism.

NASCAR suspends driver Noah Gragson for liking an insensitive meme

NASCAR has proved itself as an organization that is contemporary and one that is evolving to eliminate all kinds of social inequalities. And their most recent decision is hard evidence of the same. In 2020, George Floyd, an African-American man, died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for over 9 minutes. The video of that incident that made it to social media was so very heartbreaking and cruel. It might have taken place in Minnesota in the USA, but it shook the entire world to its very core.

Yesterday, driver Noah Gragson of Legacy Motor Club was suspended because he liked a picture that mocked the late George Floyd. That is how progressive NASCAR has been. This suspension immediately drew a formal apology from Gragson, who was ashamed for committing such a mistake.

“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media,” Gragson posted on Twitter. “I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.”

As soon as the problem arose, NASCAR and the Legacy Motor Club put it to rest. In doing so, they have set an example for the ages. In comparison, FIA is not even neutral. It’s high time that FIA takes a strong stance against such political issues and it should allow people involved to express themselves freely on issues that might touch many lives.

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